The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-08-26
oun WASHINGTON LETTER.
iFrom our Regular Correspondent
WAsurNeroN, ID. O., August 90, 1887

Ds W. hebees ~ soCs
Civil Service Commissioner Edgerton's
reply to the structures of Mr.. George VIM.
Curtis, on the level brace system is all that
the true friends of reform have right to
expect, showing, as 1t does, that President
Cleveland and the Democratic party have
redeemed their pledges 10 that regard, at
least to the full letter OF the civil service
act. II is frankly admitted that more Dem.
ocrats than Republicans are appointed be-
cause Republican politicians have fostered
the false idea that members Of that party
had no chance, thus deterring many
from attempting an examination, while, on
the other hand, Democrats had nothing to
discourage their aspirations. Mr.. Edger-
ton asserts most positively that the politi-
cal opinion Of the candidates for places are
not known In any case, and that all the
names OF those who pass an examination
are rated in the order Of merit on the list
OF eligibles. The Democrats who have
criticised the Administration for failing to
turn the rascals ou" fast enough, should
certainly find some comfort In studying the
returns Of decapitations as made by the
Postofflce Department for the past three
years, which, as Horace Greeley would
say, will "be mighty interesting reading"
During the last fiscal year 3,04S offices
were established; discontinued, 800; ap.
poiutments on designations and commls-
sions expired, 1888; appointments on re-
movals and suspensions, 1854; appoint
ments on change of names and sites, 4S2
appointments on deaths OF postmasters,
$50; total number Of appointments OF post
masters of all grades during the year, 49,
070; for the years 1885 and 1886, 20, ,747
and 9,547, respectively, making a total of
46,373 for the three years of Democratic
a Apni, q ration which / think 10 "
fair showing from purely partisan stand
point, your correspondent believes "the
boys in the trenches" should I'll the offices.
The great and good work of reclaiming
public lands from the grasping and greedy
railroad corporations, who have forfeited
their chartered rights, still goes on, keep
ing step to the music of reform and the
rights Of the people. The most important
decision Of this kind given in years was
rendered by the Secretary of the Interior
a few days since, revoking the order of his
Republican predecessor, which withdrew
from settlement, under the Pre- .emption
and Homestead laws, the lands condition.
ally granted by Congress to the Atlantic
to twenty-five or thirty million acres of
land, in this case alone the order applies
to several other railroads as well and it is
at present impossible to name the vast
number of acres added to the public do
main. Every honest Western settler will
now be moved TO toss up his hat and hands
and enthusiastically "hooray" for Lamar,
who thus courageously performs a great
public duty that enshrines his name among
the gods OF their humble households.
The death Of Professor Spencer f. Baird,
Secretary Of the Smithsonian Institution,
and Commissioner Of Fish and Fisheries,
is one of the greatest calamities that could
befal the world of science. He devoted q
long and useful life to scientific researches
and literary labors, and his works on nat
ural history and scienre, entitle him ia
rank with Audubon and Agassiz, with both
uf whom he has associated in their favor.
ite fields of endeavor. Professor BAIRD
was truly benefactor of his race, for to
him the people of the United States are
chiefly indebted for the upbuilding of the
Fish Commission, the propagation Of fish
in all their waters, and the consequent
cheapening of that excellent article of food
The people of the District Of Columbis
are still groaning under their burden ot
debt and protesting against their form o.
government given them by the Republicans
| which is taxation without representation
They are carrying debt Of more thar
$2l, 900, 900, consuming million and {
quarter annually In interest ana sinking
| fund, and the District Of Columbia would
have been bankrupt long since, but for thu
fact that the United States bears half tn,
| expenses of Government. One publ,
| meeting after another is being held, and /
agitation will accomplish anything, relic
from existing evils may be had of the mex
Congress.
At last the first chapter in the case o
| Naval Surgeon Crawford has ended, ant
he stands convicted on two informations
of fornication with little Eva White,
schoolgirl OF fourteen; the sentence is
year in the District Jail, but, the defendan
is under bond pending appeal. There i
| now talk of court-martial.